Shloka 29
अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
अहो धिङ्नार्हसे देवि वक्तुं मामीदृशं वचः।अहं हि वचनाद्राज्ञः पतेयमपि पावके।।2.18.28।।भक्षयेयं विषं तीक्ष्णं मज्जेयमपि चार्णवे।नियुक्तो गुरुणा पित्रा नृपेण च हितेन च।।2.18.29।।
aho dhiṅ nārhase devi vaktuṃ mām īdṛśaṃ vacaḥ | ahaṃ hi vacanād rājñaḥ pateyam api pāvake ||
bhakṣayeyam viṣaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ majjeyam api cārṇave | niyukto guruṇā pitrā nṛpeṇa ca hitena ca ||
Ach, Schande! O Königin, es ziemt dir nicht, mir solche Worte zu sagen. Denn auf des Königs Befehl würde ich selbst ins Feuer springen; ich würde tödliches Gift trinken oder im Ozean versinken—wenn er es gebietet, mein Vater, mein verehrter Lehrer und König, der mein Wohl sucht.
Alas, what a pity, O queen, it does not behove you to speak to me such words. I can jump into fire. Since he is my father, preceptor and wellwisher, I shall consumedeadly poison or even get drowned in the sea if he so commands.
FAQs
Rāma asserts the primacy of obedience to rightful authority—especially father and king—grounded in satya and duty: a command from such a guardian is to be followed even at extreme personal cost.
After Kaikeyī pressures him to comply with Daśaratha’s unspoken intent, Rāma rebukes her tone and declares his unwavering readiness to obey the king’s command.
Dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in duty) and satya-niṣṭhā (faithfulness to pledged word), expressed as radical compliance with legitimate command.